The Folly of Christmas

As I reflect on the traditional Christmas nativity scene, I have become more and more aware of how foolish the image of the nativity scene is. Let me elaborate.

The first Christmas

I am sure you are well aware of the story of the first Christmas. Luke 2 tells us how Mary, who was with child, travelled to Bethlehem with Joseph. When they got there, the baby couldn’t wait, and she had to give birth to him in a manger – a trough used to feed livestock.

Luke documents for us how an angel appeared to shepherds who were working that night, telling them that their king had been born in a manger. The shepherds went, found this baby, and returned full of praise to God because of him.